Attachments
HIGHLIGHTS
- In the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, children continue to be affected by a protracted crisis aggravated by the impacts of climate change. The most vulnerable are children in mobility and left behind, those with disabilities, children in Indigenous communities and those living in the presence of armed non-state actors. Limited access to life-saving services increases children’s exposure to violence, abuse and exploitation.
- In 2025, UNICEF will continue focusing on supporting the most vulnerable children while promoting innovative and sustainable solutions that enhance communities’ resilience to shocks.An integrated programmatic response will address children's immediate needs in health, nutrition, education, child protection and WASH.
- UNICEF requires $183 million to provide these life-saving services for 3.3 million people in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, including 1.8 million children. Full funding is required for UNICEF to support the realization of the rights of the most vulnerable children affected by the country's complex crises.
HUMANITARIAN SITUATION AND NEEDS
Since 2014, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has experienced economic decline, leading to the collapse of social services and the migration of more than 7.7 million people. In September 2024, the inflation rate was 46 percent, teachers' average wage was approximately $19 per month and the basic food basket cost $539. Conditions remain critical, especially for children left behind by parents who emigrated, living with disabilities, and from Indigenous families.
The health system is overstretched due to a deteriorated public infrastructure, limited access to supplies and staff shortages; 57 per cent of hospitals lack regular access to safe water, which, combined with irregular antenatal consultations, infectious diseases and complications during pregnancy and childbirth, threaten mothers' and children's survival. Out of every 1,000 live births, 33 children do not reach the age of 5 years, and up to 20 children die during the first 28 days of life. The country shows a significant deterioration in maternal mortality, with an increase in the maternal mortality rate of 182.8 percent in 20 years. Immunization coverage is only 54 percent for the third dose of diphtheria–pertussis–tetanus vaccine, the second lowest coverage in the region. Eighteen per cent of the population is undernourished, while 1.8 million women aged 15–19 years are affected by anaemia. Approximately 9.4 percent of children under age 5 are wasted, and UNICEF will target 62,162 of them for treatment.
In 2024, 3.7 million people needed WASH services. Moreover, 70 per cent of the population is vulnerable to natural hazards and only 2 percent have access to early warning systems, which increases the risk of a public health emergency. During the year, more than 27,000 children were affected by climate change-related disasters.
The continuity of education is compromised, with more than 167,000 teachers having left their jobs and those remaining working only twice a week, in inadequate school infrastructure. This has led to to reduced learning hours, academic disruptions and a 37 per cent decrease in enrolment for the 2024–2025 academic year compared with 2021–2022. A comprehensive humanitarian approach is essential to stabilize the education workforce, improve school infrastructure and support teachers and students to ensure continuous and quality education. Regular school attendance has a direct effect on reducing children’s exposure to protection risks.
In a context compounded by climate change, social service collapse, political unrest and the presence of armed non-state actors, children face severe risks of violence, trafficking, exploitation, forced recruitment, sexual and gender-based violence and abuse. The situation of children left behind by migrant parents and those in border areas, as well as the overall impact on children’s mental health, is of particular concern.